Can handling machine



Filed Jan. 25, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. [es/fa VV. ///'//.5

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Nov. 12, 1935. 1.. w. HILLS CAN HANDLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F I I5 E IN V EN TOR. Ze5//e Why/A6 ATTORNEYS.

BY w- Patented Nov. 12, 1935 PATENT. OFFICE CAN HANDLING MACHINE Leslie W. Hills, San Francisco, Calif" assignor to Hills Bros., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 25, 1933, Serial No. 653,429

20 Claims.

My invention relates to means for handling cans, and is especially concerned with means for arranging cans in a single layer, into a plurality of layers, particularly for use in conjunction with an associated machine such as the Can casing machine disclosed in Patent No. 2,013,408.

An object of the invention is to provide a can handling machine which is effective to distribute into a plurality of layers, successive cans arriving at the machine in a single layer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a can handling machine in which cans are arranged in a plurality of layers or vertically spaced courses.

' An additional object of the invention is to provide a can handling machine in which'cans are divided into a plurality of layers, without deleterious effect upon the cans or jamming of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can handling machine capable of arranging cans in superimposed layers with a predetermined number of cans in each layer.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a can handling machine constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in' one extreme position, also called full cycle position.

Figure 2 is'a. side elevation similar to Figure 1 but showing the machine in another extreme position during an operating cycle.

Figure 3 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevation of an actuating cam, the view being in the direction of the arrow 4 in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a runway switch and the electric circuit of the machine.

In its preferred form, the can handling machine of my invention comprises an elevator adapted to receive cans in a single layer and to distribute the received cans into a plurality of superposed layers, and includes means for maintaining a proper spaced relationship of the cans to preclude jamming and mutual interference and to segregate a predetermined number of cans in each layer.

In the form of mechanism disclosed in the accompanying drawings, I preferably provide a main framework, generally designated 6, composed of structural shapes such as channels and angles. Leading into the framework 6 is an initial runway I which is inclined to the horizontal and down which a succession of cans such as 8 rolls gravitally. Preferably, the runway I is inclusive of a multiplicity of can lines, in the present instance there being two parallel lines 9 and I0.

Since the action of the mechanism is the same 5 with one or more such lines, but one is described herein in detail.

In the present instance, it is desired to divide cans arriving from each of the lines of the runway I into a plurality of separate superposed lay- 10 ers, and to this end I provide receiving ways II,

I2 and I3 respectively, which in the present instance are duplicate and in horizontal alinement with the lines 9 and I0. In vertical arrangement the ways are preferably disposed on the framework 6 so that the center way I2 is in effect a continuation of the initial runway I. Preferably, the ways II, I2 and I3 lead into any suitable machine, not shown, for utilizing superposed layers of cans. Many such machines require cans intermittently, and I therefore arranged that cans be discharged intermittently from the ways II, I2 and I3 by a gate mechanism generally designated I4.

The framework 6 preferably carries a driving shaft I6 connected directly or through transmission mechanism to any suitable source of motive power, not shown. An idler gear I! is rotated in synchronism with the shaft I6 by means of a driving gear I8 mounted thereon. The idler gear I1 meshes with a gear I9 which is mounted on a shaft 2| journaled in the framework 6 and carrying a cam 22. Co-acting with the cam 22 is a follower 23 mounted on a shaft 24 and actuating a plunger 26. The plunger is connected by pivots 21, for instance, to each of a plurality of identical gate frames 28 which are pivotally mounted as at 29 on their respective can ways II, I2 and I 3. The frames 28 oscillate in unison about their re spective pivot points 29 under the influence of the plunger 26 and the cam 22. The gate frames 28 at their extremities carry cross rods 3| adapted to operate in slots 32 in the can ways II, I2 and I3 and which rise and fall in order alternately to block and to free the ways II, I2 and I3. In accordance with the operation of this mechanism, therefore, cans resting in the ways II, I2 and I3 are alternately blocked and released to roll gravitally down the respective ways.

I preferably interpose between the initial way I and the multiple Ways II, I2 and I3, a mechanism generally designated 33 for dividing and distributing the successive cans. The framework 6 is preferably provided with a plurality of uprights 34, each of which is equipped with a pair of vertically alined, anti-friction rollers 36. Adapted to run in the rollers 36 is a carriage 31 of generally quadrangular form in cross-section and on its central plane carrying box channels 38 adapted to fit into grooves in the rollers and to be guided thereby. Mounted on the carriage are horizontally duplicate runways 39 and 40 respectively, which in one extreme position of the carriage are adapted to be in substantial alinement with the ways l2 and I3 and in another position of the carriage to be in substantial alinement with the ways II and I2; that is, in one position of the carriage the runway 39 is n alinement with the way 1, while in the other position of the carriage the runway 46 is in alinement with the way 1. r

In order to reciprocate the carriage 31 between its designated extreme positions, '1 preferably connect thereto, by means of a pivot 4| on a cross frame 42, a connecting rod 43. Mounted on an extension 44 of the framework 6 is a bell crank 46 which is pivoted as at 41 to the connecting rod 43 and is also provided with an arm 48. The bell crank is urged in one direction by a coil spring 49 connected to the arm 48 and likewise connected as at to the framework 6 in order, partially at least, to counterbalance the carriage 31. A cross-shaft 52 not only carries the bell crank 46 but likewise has affixed thereto a depending lever 53 which is pivoted as at 54 to a rod 56 connected to a follower 51. The follower at its depending end is provided with a pivot 58 joined to the rod 56, and at its other end is pivoted by a pin 59 to a bracket 6| secured to the framework 6.

Interposed between the ends of the lever 51 is a cam follower, such as a roller 62, adapted to run in conjunction with a face cam 63 mounted on the shaft 2| and rotating therewith. As particularly disclosed in Figure 4, the cam 63 is disposed on the shaft 2| with an angular displacement from the cam 22. It will be noted that the cam as for substantially half of its circumference is virtually flat, as at 64, and that there is a peak 66 located substantially midway of the remaining portion of the circumference of the cam, with an incline 61 effecting a smooth merger of the surface 64 and the peak 66 on one side of the peak, while the other side of the-peak merges with the surface 64 by means of an incline 68. With respect to the terminus of this surface the cam 22' is polarly displaced a small amount and in general is circular except for a radially depressed portion 69 which joins the general cylindrical surface of the cam 22 by means of merging faces 1| and 12 respectively.

- The effect of the cams 22 and 63 and the described connecting linkage is such .at, as the shaft 2| is rotated in time with the rotation of the shaft l6, the carriage 31 is initially moved from an uppermost or full'cycle position, as indicated in Figure 1, to a lowermost position, as

indicated in Figurel2. For substantially half of a revolution of the shaft 2| the carriage remains in the lower position of Figure 2, and finally moves from such lower position back to its upper or full cycle position as shown in Figure 1 where the cycle of operation is completed. Substantially as the carriage arrives at its uppermost position, the cam depression 69 permits the plunger 26 to descend and to lift the rods 3| into the path of cans on the ways I I, I2 and I3 and to block the descent of cans thereabove.

Effective upon cans which may attempt to enter the way I2 is a stop unit, generally designated 88, comprising a cross rod 8| carried by a pair of crank plates 82. Each crank plate is pivoted as at 83 to the upper end of a lever 84 mounted on a pin 86 projecting from the framework 6. At its lower'end, each lever 84 is connected to a rod 81 by a pivot 88, and each rod 81 is joined by a pin 89 to a bracket 9| mounted on the carriage 31. Each crank plate 82 is likewise pivoted as at 92 to a rod 93 joined by a pivot pin 94 to an extension 96 on the gate frame l4. As the shaft 2| rotates at the beginning of a cycle of operation, the depressed portions 69 of the cam 22 is moved from under the roller 23 and the cam lifts the plunger 26 to lower the rods 3| and permit cans previously restrained thereby to roll gravitally down the ways ll, I2 and I3. As the frame |4 oscillates in response to such lifting movement of the plunger 26, the extensions 96 pull the rods 93 to the left, as seen in Figure 2, and pivot the crank plates 82 about the pins 83 so that the rod 8| is moved in an arc downwardly and into the path of cans on the runway 40. Since the length of the runway 40 is preferably such as to accommodate a predetermined number of cans, in this instance three, the runways 39 and 46 are fully loaded when the carriage arrives in the position shown in Figure 2.

As the shaft 2| rotates upon the initiation of a cycle, the surface 68 rides under the roller 62. The carriage 31 descends and simultaneously the plunger 26 is raised to lower the rods 3| and release the cans disposed on the ways I I, I2 and I3. The combined movement of the carriage 31 and 4 of the gate frame I4 is such that the plates 82 are pivoted about both their pivot points 92 and 83 so that the cross rod 8| descends with the carriage and assumes its position as shown in Figure 2. The cans which have been received on the runway 39 in its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 1, are lowered into registry with the way l3 and discharge from the runway 39 to the way |3. Simultaneously, the runway 49 has registered with the initial runway 1 and itself is charged with its allotted number of cans.

Upon continued rotation of the shaft 2|, the surface 64 engages the roller 62 and for about a half rotation the carriage remains in lowermost position, but finally the surface 61 engages the roller 62 and, through the rod 56 and the crank 46, causes the rod 43 to lift the carriage 31 back to its uppermost or full cycle position, as shown in Figure 1. During such ascending movement of the carriage the rods 81 are rendered effective upon the levers 84, and the plates 82 are caused to pivot at least partially about the pins 92, so that the rod 8| in effect accompanies the leading can on the runway 48 in its ascending movement and not only retains the cans on the runway 48 but also prevents jamming of the leading can against the terminus of the way The ratio of ascending movement between the rod 8| and the carriage 31 is such that when the carriage has attained its uppermost position the rod 8| is substantially flush with the bottom of the runway 46 and releases the cans on the runway 48 to roll gravitally onto the way I I.

Since the roller 62 and the roller 23 are at substantially right angles to each other, when the carriage 31 attains its uppermost position the depressed portion 69 of the cam 22 is eifective upon the plunger 26 and causes the rods 3| to rise to block the cans Just being received on the way I as particularly indicated in Figure 1. Simultaneously, in the uppermost or full cycle position of the carriage the runway 39 registers with I when it is provided with a full supply of cans, I

preferably provide a means on the runway 1 which is responsive to the presence of a can at rest. As particularly shown in Figure 5, the runway I, and usually each line 9 and I0, is equipped with a plunger IOI which normally is urged upwardly into a position in which a switch I02 connected to the plunger is open. A ramp I03 is situated immediately in advance of the plunger and is so disposed that cans rolling down the runway even with a relatively slight velocity leave the ramp with such a trajectory as to clear the plunger I! and to be ineffective on the switch I02. When the runway becomes substantially filled with cans, a succeeding can rolls over the ramp I03 and being stopped by cans ahead of it comes to rest on the plunger IOI. The weight of such can is ample to depress the plunger and to close the switch I02. The driving motor I04 for the machine is in circuit with the switch I02 and with leads I06 and I01 extending to a source of elec tricity. Likewise, a master switch I08, which can be operated or controlled in any convenient manner, for instance, as shown in the co-pending Hills and Clark patent, above identified, is interposed in the circuit of the motor I04. When the switch I08 is closed, the motor I04 is effective to operate the machine when the switch I02 is closed. Because of this mechanism, the machine rests between cycles of operation until sufficient cans are present for a succeeding cycle and under no circumstances will operate if there is a deficiency of cans.

If desired, barriers or blocks can be placed selectively in one or more of the runways 39 and 40, as well as in the ways II, I2 and I3 to render ineffective any one or more of the can lines.

The device of my invention, when functioning as described, is effective to divide cans arriving in a single layer, into a plurality of superposed layersin this instance three, and is effective not only so to distribute the cans but also to maintain the cans at all times in such position that they do not interfere with each other nor jam in any portion of the machine. The runways are at a gentle inclination so that the cans are handled without harm. Furthermore, the cans are distributed in predetermined lots to each of the discharging ways for subsequent handling in an associated machine.

I claim:

1. A can handling machine comprising a runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator, a pair of superposed ways on said elevator adapted alternately to register with said runway, and superposed can receiving ways adapted to register with both of said elevator ways coincident with registration of either of said elevator ways and said runway.

2. A can handling machine comprising an elevator adapted to reciprocate between two extreme positions, a pair of superposed ways on said elevator, a runway adapted to register with one of said ways in one of said extreme positions and to register with the other of said ways in the other of said extreme positions, and a plurality of superposed ways some of which are adapted to register with both of said ways in both of said extreme positions.

3. A can handling machine comprising an elevator adapted to reciprocate between two vertically spaced extreme positions, a pair of inclined vertically spaced ways on said elevator, an inclined runway adapted in each of said extreme positions to register ,with a different one of said ways, and a plurality\of inclined ways, a different pair of which is adapted to register with said elevator ways in each extreme position of said elevator.

4. A can handling machine comprising an initial runway adapted to support rolling cans, a plurality of receiving ways for supporting rolling cans, a reciprocating elevator for transferring cans from said runway to said ways, and means operating in time with the reciprocation of said elevator for periodically blocking cans rolling on said ways.

5. A can handling machine comprising an initial runway for rolling cans, a plurality of receiving ways for rolling cans, means for blocking cans rolling on said ways, a reciprocable elevator for transferring cans from said runway to said ways, and means for reciprocating said elevator and synchronously operating said blocking means.

6. A can handling machine comprising a reciprocable elevator, inclined ways for rolling cans on said elevator, means for restraining cans on said ways, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said elevator and operating said restraining means.

'7. A can handling machine comprising a reciprocable elevator, inclined ways for rolling cans on said elevator, means adapted to move adjacent said ways for restraining cans from rolling thereon, and means for reciprocating said elevator and synchronously moving said restraining means.

8. A can handling machine comprising an initial runway for rolling cans, a plurality of receiving ways for rolling cans, means for blocking cans rolling on said ways, a reciprocable elevator, inclined ways for rolling cans on said elevator, means for restraining cans on said elevator ways, and means for reciprocating said elevator, operating said blocking means and operating said restraining means in synchronism.

9. A can handling machine comprising an initial runway for rolling cans, a plurality of receiving ways for rolling cans, oscillating means for blocking cans rolling on said ways, a reciprocable elevator, inclined ways for rolling cans on said elevator, means adapted to move adjacent said elevator ways for restraining cans on said elevator ways, means for reciprocating said elevator, means for oscillating said blocking means in synchronism with said reciprocating means, and means for moving said restraining means in synchronism with said reciprocating means.

10. A can handling machine comprising an initial runway for rolling cans, a plurality of receiving ways for rolling cans, oscillating means for blocking cans rolling on said receiving ways, a reciprocable elevator, inclined ways for rolling cans on said elevator, means adapted to move adjacent said elevator ways for restraining cans on said elevator, means for oscillating said blocking means, and linkage connected to said elevator and to said blocking means for moving said restraining means.

11. A unit handling machine comprising a reciprocable member, ways on said member, means for restraining units on said ways, receiving ways, means for restraining units on said receiving ways, and means for synchronously reciprocating said member and operating said restraining means.

12. A can handling machine comprising a plurality of receiving ways, an initial runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator interposed between said initial runway and said receiving ways, a pair of ways on said elevator, stops on said receiving ways, and means for reciprocating said elevator between two extreme positions in each of which a different one of said elevator ways aligns with said initial runway to charge said receiving ways with a complement of cans resting against said stops.

13. A can handling machine comprising a runway for cans, a plurality of rails disposed to support cans with their rolling axes horizontal and arranged to provide a plurality of superposed ways, a vertically reciprocable elevator interposed between said runway and said ways, and superposed ways onsaid elevator adapted to transfer cans from said runway to each of said ways, said reciprocable elevator registering in either extreme position with said runway and a plurality of said superposed ways.

14. A can handling machine comprising an initial runway, a plurality of rails disposed to support cans with their rolling axes horizontal and arranged to provide a plurality of superposed ways, reciprocating means interposed between said runway and said ways, and superposed ways on said elevator for transferring cans from said runway to said ways, said reciprocating means in either extreme position registering with the initial runway and a plurality of receiving ways.

15. A can handling machine comprising a runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator, a pair of superposed ways on said elevator adapted alternately to register with said runway, and superposed can receiving ways adapted to register with both of said elevator ways coincident with registration of either of said elevator ways and said runway.

16. A can handling machine comprising a runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator, means for reciprocating said elevator, a pair of superposed ways on said elevator adapted alternately to register with said runway, superposed can receiving ways adapted to register with both of said elevator ways coincident with registration of either of said elevator ways and said runway, and means responsive to the stoppage of a can on said runway for controlling said reciprocating means.

17. A can handling machine comprising a run- 5 way for cans, a reciprocating elevator, electrical means for reciprocating said elevator, a pair 01 superposed ways on said elevator adapted alternately to register with said runway, superposed can receiving ways adapted to register with both of said elevator ways coincident with registration of either of said elevator ways and said runway, and an electric circuit controlling switch in the path of a can stopping on said runway for controlling said electrical reciprocating means.

18. A can handling machine comprising a runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator, electrical means for reciprocating said elevator, a pair 01 superposed ways on said elevator adapted alternately to register with said runway, superposed can receiving ways adapted to register with both of said elevator ways coincident with registration of either of said elevator ways and said runway, an electric circuit for said electrical reciprocating means, a switch in said circuit, and a second switch in said circuit in the path 01 a can stopping on said runway.

19. A can handling machine comprising a runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator, a pair of superposed ways on said elevator adapted al'ternately to register with said runway, superposed can receiving ways adapted to register with both of said elevator ways coincident with registration of either of said elevator ways and said runway, electrical means for reciprocating said elevator, a circuit for said electrical means, and a plurality of switches in said circuit, one of said switches being responsive to the stoppage of a can on said runway.

20. A can handling machine comprising a plurality of receiving ways including an intermediate receiving way, an initial runway for cans, a reciprocating elevator interposed between said initial runway and said receiving ways, a plurality of superposed ways on said elevator, means for reciprocating said elevator between two extreme positions, and means for charging said intermediate receiving way with a full complement of cans when said elevator is in one of said extreme positions.

LESLIE W. HILLS. 

